Disaster restoration services. Local care with nationwide deployment teams.
24/7 Hotline (855) 700-1080
General Contractor Lic. CA 1040785
Homeowners in West Oakland get hit with flood damage on a regular basis. Whether you’ve experienced a natural disaster or a localized catastrophe such as a fire suppression activation, Critical Control is standing by to respond 24/7.
If a storm, flood or burst pipes cause water to seep into a home or building water damage can occur most of the time. Sometimes the damage is evident and apparent. In other instances, it’s subtle or under-reported.
Remediation of water damage is more complicated than just drying out the interior. Modern water damage remediation techniques, such as Critical Control, can often minimize damage that otherwise would need a total structural replacement.
Water Damage Restoration Guidelines Exist and you can call an Professional
A lot of times, property or home owners try to tackle water damage by using DIY solutions available online. This is a bad idea. There are guidelines to deal water damage that depend on the skills and tools of professionals. These guidelines can be found in the IICRC Standard Reference Guide, or Professional Water Damage Restoration book. This guide exists because of the necessity for professional standards in cases involving water damage to buildings and homes and the risks they present.
The IICRC guidelines aid restoration experts such as Critical Control to evaluate the category and class of damage to each project.
These guidelines are important for water damage professionals. In certain situations, the use of an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) is required. An IEP is a person who has the expertise and training to evaluate a site for contamination collect samples, perform lab tests, then give us advice on the type of water damage.
This is particularly important in cases where the building’s residents are in danger or have concerns about contamination.
Restoration projects for water damage can be classified into two types, depending on how extensive the water infiltration is.
The water that entered the building was classified based on the degree of contamination. Category 1 water originates from a clean source, such as an unclean sink or tub, or a water source that bursts.
Category 2 involves water that has high levels of contaminants and has the potential to cause discomfort or illness should it be consumed or ingested. This could include water that is not obvious as a danger, such as the discharge from washing machines and overflows from toilets.
Category 3 water can be considered to be highly contaminated. It could be contaminated by toxic, pathogenic, or other hazardous substances. This could be due to sewage backflows, leaks from toilet traps, as well as the flooding of rivers and streams. This water can be contaminated by pesticides, heavy metals or toxic substances.
It is also possible to use the IICRC’s courses to determine how much water has gotten into your property. The system is basically a set of guidelines for the level of saturation of the structure or the home.
The lowest amount of absorption by water and the highest amount of water is classified as Class 1. This is when the water comes into contact approximately 5percent or less of building materials that absorb water. This is due to the fact that most of the substances that are affected by water won’t hold or absorb water. Concrete or plaster, masonry and finished/coated wood are just a few examples.
Class 2 refers to absorption of water and intrusion. It’s about 5% to 40% of the combined ceiling, floor, and wall are composed of low evaporation materials like plaster, wood, concrete or masonry.
Class 3 means that about 40% or more of the floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces are porous like carpet, insulation, fiberboard and so on. Other materials such as concrete and plaster that do not absorb water have not been affected in any way.
Class 4 indicates that water is trapped in the materials that can not readily absorb water, such as concrete, wood, and bricks and mortar. This means that it requires longer drying times and special drying techniques.
Physical extraction, dehumidification, and evaporation are considered three ways to get rid of water from buildings. Eliminating water from liquids is typically 500 times more efficient than dehumidifiers and air movers. The quicker the structure dries the better. Both methods of extraction and dehumidification are affected by how much material is being removed.
Water damage experts utilize a variety of extraction methods. We use a variety of tools , including subsurface extraction tools as well as self-propelled tools.
The remainder of the moisture gets then dried by high-speed airmovers after as much water as is removed.
Submerged objects absorb moisture and water when it is moistened. As a result, the object becomes damp or wet.
Saturation is the time at which it becomes impossible for air to hold any moisture. The greater the humidity, the closer the air is to saturation.
The evaporation process occurs the moment when water molecules shift from the state of liquid to a gaseous state. The process is referred to as evaporation.
In other words it is will no longer absorb additional water from the atmosphere. This is called the saturation point. As soon as saturation is reached the drying process starts.
High-efficiency airmovers dry the object in two areas in the evaporation phase. They produce a powerful airflow across the surface of the object, which is directed by a filter that is able to cover the entire area of the object.
Air mover is able to move between 10 and 20 percent more air than a fan, or an ordinary fan used in the home.
Air movers dry objects about 10 times more quickly than normal conditions, when there is no air movement.
A high-velocity airflow dries the surface and sucks up the moisture that has been taken away by the air mover.
The element of heat is crucial to the success of any restoration job. We use a variety of heaters to dry the materials that are damaged by water.
Electric Heaters These heaters are perfect for drying tasks that require multiple heating sources. It is possible to run several heaters simultaneously because of their many power ratings.
Electric heat is also capable of being shut off or reduced while the job is in process, but without impacting other heaters. This means that you could lower one heater, while increasing the wattage of another to maximize efficiency and lower energy costs.
Electric heaters are very common in restoration projects since they generate virtually no emissions and require only a small amount of water. They take longer to heat up and take longer drying time.
Hydronic Bioler (TES) They are also extremely efficient at heating up quickly, while still producing minimal emissions. They can run on propane or natural gas.
Hydronic boilers are different from electric heating in that they do not make use of forced air to distribute heat, so it can be difficult to evenly heat a large space with these kinds of heaters. They also run at less temperature, which makes them perfect for drying tasks that require walls and ceilings to be left unattended.
Hydronic boilers are also often used in situations where there is no power available to run electric heaters. Because they’re so effective in producing radiant heat, they are able to easily keep your drying area warm even without an electrical power source.
We utilize Low Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifiers (LGR) to dry buildings and homes that have experienced water damage.
The LGR Home Dehumidifier can draw 170 pints of water from damp structures which have suffered extensive water damage within 24 hours.
The dehumidifier at home is able to remove water from the air the same way as an LGR Refrigerant Dehumidifier. It can also eliminate up to 99 percent of the mold spores that are airborne by eliminating condensation.
It is crucial to get rid of flooring that has been damaged by water to ensure that repairs can be completed by removing the subflooring.
The damaged subflooring first needs to be removed and repaired. The damaged hardwood boards need to be sanded down or replaced. Once these repairs are complete, the entire floor should be sanded, refinished and polished to ensure a uniform appearance.
If you’ve experienced a flood in your home it could be a stressful and expensive experience. Even if water is taken away from the affected region immediately, there’s still a chance that you’ll need to replace your flooring eventually.
After investing time and money in restoring your home to its original state, it could be a shock to discover that the end result leaves something to be desired.
This is why it is crucial to determine the extent of the damages as soon as you can. One of the initial issues that must be resolved is whether the affected area should be replaced. There’s a chance that the carpet can be cleaned and still used once it is dry, and this cleaning will eliminate some of the worries about the growth of mildew and persistent odors.
If the damage from water is severe It is likely that you’ll see noticeable staining on your carpet. Sometimes, you will have to replace your flooring to get rid of these stains. A strong, lingering odor could also be a reason to get your carpet replaced. It is necessary to replace your padding and carpet when this happens.
Then, consider if your flooring can be dried professionally before you decide to repair it or replace it. If you’ve got an established company that can handle the cleaning, then you’ll have a better idea of how severe the water damage was. We will be able to assess whether the carpet should be replaced or saved. If the carpet you have is damaged, a few drying methods could further harm it.
Several factors will influence the decision of whether padding or carpet need to be replaced.
Are your carpets dry and cleaned, or disinfected and cleaned professionally?
If the padding under your carpet is damaged, it could affect the time that your carpet is clean. Although your carpet might be dry however the risk of mildew development is there if the padding underneath isn’t dried out as well.
The best way to be sure that your carpeting is properly cleaned and disinfected following a flood is to hire a professional carpet cleaning company. After the job is completed, you’ll be able make an informed decision on the condition of your carpeting. You can also decide whether to replace it.
The process for repairing drywall varies according to the extent of the damage. Repairing water damage could be as simple as removing some drywall, cleaning the area, and then putting it back.
The flip side of the coin is that significant damage may require a complete replacement of the wall, which includes fiberglass insulation and wall studs.
Mold spores can be found in drywall damaged by water that is difficult to remove. Therefore, in the majority of cases drywalls will have to be replaced. We use moisture testing tools to determine the amount of moisture. This allows us to identify areas of damage and limit costs to areas that need to be repaired.
It also causes structural damage, as it causes the material to expand and shrink. After the wood has been moistened by water, it becomes a lot easier to break. The wood may be brittle if kept in the water for too long.
In order to counteract this problem, it’s crucial for building owners and homeowners to fix structural damage from the effects of moisture on their home immediately following the water or flood incident.
There are a variety of reasons that water damage could affect a foundation of a house. While not all water issues could cause structural damage, it’s crucial to correct foundational issues as soon as possible in order to avoid any future structural damage.
Water damage to the foundation can trigger a number of different issues in the manner it is addressed. It could cause serious structural damage if the issue isn’t addressed quickly.
Roof Water Damage
Similar to foundation water damage roof water damage is quite common following natural catastrophes. Roof damage could cause roof leaks and also damage the foundations of a building or house.
Roof leaks can be very expensive and could have major drawbacks. Leakage in the roof could lead to mold growth that could be fatal. The leaks in the roof could cause damage to the roof truss system.
If you don’t fix leaks in your ceiling immediately the risk is that your rafters to degrade and become soft. Roof water damage can also result from electrical issues that can cause the possibility of an electric fire. All of these are good reasons to have your roof water damage fixed quickly following a flood or other unexpected damage.
If your HVAC system is failing or brand new equipment is found to be inoperable, it can result in structural damage to your home. If you do not have HVAC it is exposing the inside of your house or business to all kinds of problems. The growth of mold can result in a range of serious health issues.
If you’re suffering from pipe water damage, the water is likely to be from a pipe that has burst in your home. Once you’ve determined there’s leak, it’s important to call an expert to stop the water from creating structural damage.
Burst pipes can cause a lot of damage. The water can get into your home via broken pipes, causing extensive damage. This can lead to structural damage.
If you spot damaged water pipes close off the water supply.
Depending on the square foot the repairs and cleanup expenses differ. The following pricing breakdown can be obtained from National Flood Services for each square foot
Can Water Damage be covered By the Homeowner’s Insurance?
Insurance policies for homeowners are typically used if the damage is sudden and accidental. The Insurance Information Institute states that homeowners insurance will cover the repair or replacement of broken windows, but not for damage caused by negligence.
Damage caused by neglect can be described as wear and tear of an object or surface because of exposure, lack of regular maintenance or general wear and tear. The Insurance Information Institute in the US states that homeowners insurance does not cover the damage caused by negligence.
A homeowners policy would not be able to cover damage to water caused by flooding. A flood policy is required. In certain areas the flood policies are demanded by mortgage companies. Flooding may occur due to storms, over-saturated ground, overflowing or surging bodies of water, such as rivers, ponds, lakes, streams, oceans in combination with high winds.
Disaster restoration services. Local care with nationwide deployment teams.
24/7 Hotline (855) 700-1080